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security, and cost effectiveness. In doing so, an organization is able to get a
clear understanding of its strength and weaknesses.
By and large, an audit of ICTs in Kenya and South Africa therefore involves
establishing the current distribution rate and infrastructure capacity, as well
as an evaluation of the adequacy of ICTs in providing for the needs of rural
women.
According to Ellies et ai, information mapping constitutes the exploration of
information needs and its utilization, and the graphical representation of
partes) of an information system. Through information mapping, an
organization can effectively manage its information resources (Ellies et ai,
1993:149). The mapping of ICTs, for instance, helps provide substantive
analytical work and accurate statistics on the nature, types and distribution
of ICTs (Adeya, 2001: '17). Examples of mapping strategies can be found in
studies by Kiplang'at (2004), Majanja (2004) and lkoja -Odongo (2002b).
Within the context of this study, mapping ICTs in both Kenya and South
Africa involves taking stock of: ICT services, such as telephony and
cellular/mobile telephony; "old" technologies/broadcasting, namely
radio and TV; the use of and distribution of telecommunications systems,
such as copper or fibre optic cable; wireless or cellular mobile links, satellite
links and wide area networks (e.g. the Internet); and equipment, such as
network-base stations for wireless service. This process is intent on critically
analyzing these technologies in relation to the needs of the rural
marginalized woman.
2.2 Mapping and auditing of ICTs in Kenya
2.2.1 Background on Kenya
Kenya sits along the East African coast, nestled between Ethiopia to the
north and Tanzania to the south, and is about 240,000 square miles
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